The 2023 London Shield final between Fort William and Glenurquhart took place at the Dell, Kingussie on Saturday 30^th September. Fort William and Glenurquhart reached this year’s final having won home and away semi-finals against Skye and Beauly respectively.

 

The final started with Fort William on top and after a few early half chances they took the lead on 17 minutes with a low shot from distance from wing forward Innes Whyte. The goal seemed to spur Glenurquhart into life and they started to come more into the game and created a number of half chances without really testing Fort William Goalkeeper Owen O’Hagen. The Fort William defence was well marshalled by Arran Steven at fullback and Ewen Campbell at Half-back limited the Glenurquhart forwards to very few chances throughout the game.

 

The second goal in the game was always going to be crucial and it was Fort William who got it on 32minutes with a well taken goal from the impressive Archie Mackinnon. A minute later it was 3.0 with Archie Mackinnon scoring his second of the game, riffling a backhand strike high into the roof of the net from a tight angle giving Glenurquhart goalkeeper Shalom Brown no chance.

The second half was evenly contested with chances at both ends but Fort William always looked the more likely to add to their lead and it was Jack Kearney on 50 minutes with an excellent strike from the edge of the box firing high into the net to leave the final score Fort William 4 Glenurquhart 0.

 

The Douglas Mackintosh Memorial medal – presented to the player of the match and this year’s winner was Glenurquhart’s captain Sam Burnett who had an outstanding game at the heart of the Glenurquhart defence. Chieftain of the Camanachd Association John Mackenzie presented the medal on behalf of the Mackintosh family.

 

A big thank you to both teams and coaches, match referee Callum Girvan, Kingussie Camanachd Club for the use of their excellent facilities and the Duke of Gordon for providing the post-match meal.